Experimental Printmaking Monotypes Get creative and make art together! Explore materials and printmaking processes inspired by Diane Gabriel’s expressive monotypes featured in our BCA Center Spring 2021 exhibition Pivotal Moments: Select Works by Diane Gabriel. Experiment with repurposed objects, textiles, and elements of nature to create unique monotype prints that investigate shape, pattern, repetition, and texture. Activity Age Range: The whole family! Materials Needed: Paper, Washable Paints, Paint Brushes, Printing surface or ‘plate’ (aluminum foil, waxed paper or parchment paper work well), Foraged objects for printing: These may include found natural objects, recyclables, and textiles. Look for flat objects with interesting textures like fabrics, leaves, bubble wrap, lace, and yarn.
CONNECT This activity connects with our BCA Center spring 2021 exhibition Pivotal Moments: Select Works by Diane Gabriel. Vermont artist and educator Diane Gabriel worked in a variety of media including drawing, printmaking, photography, collage, and mixed media sculpture. Often experimenting, Gabriel incorporated objects, found or refashioned materials, and elements of nature into the making of her work, as she investigated themes of memory, childhood, nature, and spirituality. Featured artist: Diane Gabriel How can our memories inspire artmaking? How can nature objects, textiles and recycled materials be used in the printmaking process? What objects and materials would you choose to experiment with to make a unique monotype print? What different shapes, patterns, and textures can you explore in the printmaking process? Diane Gabriel Cosmology IV, n.d. Monotype 35 x 31” Look closely at this work of art. Describe what you see. What do the images and objects in the composition have in common? What shapes, patterns, and textures can you find? How do you think the artist used real objects to create this monotype print? What objects from nature have you collected that hold special memories for you? Diane Gabriel would often forage for art supplies, rather than buy anything from a store. The artist often spent time outdoors collecting objects from nature for her prints and collages. She would use the leaves, sticks, and animal bones she found to create a language of symbols that would recur as motifs in her work (other motifs include the heart, home, baby slipper, or bonnet). In Cosmology IV, Gabriel utilized the large leaves of philodendrons and the smaller cottonwood trees because of their heart shapes which symbolized love and her passion for nature. She also used a bird wing in the composition printed repeatedly to create a pattern and to suggest flight. Birds and wings were a recurring motif for Gabriel as she admired the sense of freedom they conveyed. Learn more about our BCA Center Spring 2021 exhibitions at burlingtoncityarts.org
CREATE Step 1: Gather your supplies -Paper -Washable Paints -Brushes -A surface to create a printing ‘plate’ (aluminum foil, waxed paper, or parchment paper, work well). -Foraged materials for printing such as nature objects, recyclables, and textiles. Look for flat objects with interesting textures like fabrics, leaves, bubble wrap, lace, and yarn.
Step 2: Paint your printing surface *Your printing surface can be a sheet of aluminum foil, parchment paper, wax paper or even a baking sheet or dish.
Paint your printing surface with a washable paint color or colors of your choice. This will be the background color of your print.
Step 3: Add drawings and textures to the printing surface Use a stick or the handle tip of a paintbrush to create drawings and textures in the painted surface by scraping through the wet paint. If using aluminum foil, be careful to not tear the surface as you add mark making.
Step 4: Paint found objects and textiles to add to the printing plate Incorporate found nature objects, recyclables, and textile materials into the making of your monotype print. Paint one side of each found object that you would like to add to the printing plate. If you like, you can paint each object on a separate piece of scrap paper before adding to the printing plate.
Step 5: Add the painted objects to your printing surface Make sure to place the painted objects onto the printing plate with the painted side facing up.
Step 6: Place a sheet of paper on top of your printing surface. Rub with gentle pressure in a circular motion to transfer the paint from the plate onto your paper
Step 7: Pull your monotype print by carefully removing the paper from the printing surface
Step 8: You have made a monotype. Admire your unique print!
Step 9: Continue experimenting and creating more monotypes. How can you use these same materials to create a different print? What other objects would you like to try printing with? How would different color combinations look in your composition? PLAY, EXPLORE, and EXPERIMENT.
Happy Creating!